Water Heritage Day Sunday 27th August

24 August 2017

Water Heritage Day on Sunday August 27th will provide an opportunity to celebrate water and what it means to us. There is so much to discover about water as it moves through catchments in rivers, lakes and underground on its journey from source to sea.

Many of the most beautiful places in Ireland are around our rivers, lakes, springs and coasts. These wild and wonderful places and the wildlife they support provide inspiration and enjoyment for young and old.

Whilst often available in abundance across Ireland, clean, healthy water is a precious and fragile resource that needs our care and attention to protect it for present and future generations.

On Sunday 27th August take time to explore your local stream, river, lake or beach and join others as we celebrate water during Heritage Week 2017.

Come onboard our research vessel to learn about Ireland’s ancient and submerged landscapes with 'Cherish and Infomar'. Meet marine geologists and archaeologists from the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Discovery Programme onboard a research vessel. Learn how the INFOMAR team map Ireland's seabed and about the exciting new coastal heritage project CHERISH.

Go Dodder otter spotting and become aware of the river's nature with Tim Clabon of the Irish Wildlife Trust. We will walk to Rathfarnham Bridge and while we can't be sure to see otters we will see their slides and perhaps their holts as well as insects, birds, fish and the special flora of the river!

Trim Salmon of Knowledge Festival, brought to you by Trim Tourism Network, takes place August 27th, Water Day-Heritage Week 2017, in conjunction with Race Around Ireland. The festival is set against the magnificent backdrop of Trim Castle and will showcase cultural, historical and sporting activities both local and throughout the Boyne valley. It’s set to be a great day with a packed programme of events and activities including our own Boyne Adventure Race using the River Boyne through Trim. With traditional music and dance, drama performances, stalls from Trim and Boyne Valley craftspeople, and entertainment throughout the day

An excellent opportunity to observe juvenile trout and salmon in an aquarium. Participants will have the opportunity to view a range of macroinvertebrates under microscopes. Fisheries Officers will be available to discuss the life cycle of various fish species and environmental factors that affect their survival. Participants will be able to view a range of macroinvertebrates including mayflies, stoneflies and freshwater shrimp to name a few.

As a special event for Heritage Week, Old Cork Waterworks Experience presents “Water Heritage Open Day”, a family fun day themed on the industrial heritage of Cork’s Victorian Waterworks. Throughout the day the team will provide guided tours of the impressive engine and boiler rooms offer an insight into the working day of a waterworks employee and map the role of water supply with the growth of Cork City. There are a range of engaging and educational activities available including make & do, marine science, giant bubbles as well as launching water rockets and a water science zone.

Join local enthusiasts as well as environmental experts for a family educational fun experience covering many fields on the biodiversity of the Broadmeadow. Identification of insects and an opportunity to see aquatic insects living in the river, learn how important they are for the other wildlife. Workshops on how to build an insect hotel, learn about invasive species and how to report, we will make some bird & bat boxes. A river cleanup will also take place early in the day and the rubbish found will be put on display. Waste will be sorted to demonstrate what can be recycled. New planting where flood alleviation was carried out.

To celebrate 200 years of the Royal Canal you are invited to walk the towpath of the canal in the company of the Heritage Boats who were the working cargo boats of the inland waterways. There will be associated lectures, displays and events at Keenagh (Mosstown), Killashee and Richmond Harbour (Clondra).

River biodiversity walk and writing workshop featuring the River Barrow and drawing inspiration from what we see along the water's edge. Led by biodiversity officer and children's author Shane Casey. Celebrate National Water Heritage Day during Ireland's Town of Books Festival August 25-27, where you will find 30+ booksellers, from specialist antiquities to children's books filling every corner of this ancient riverside monastery town. Shane Casey works as a Biodiversity Officer and has published two delightful children's books, he will lead us on a walk, talk and writing workshop on the banks of the River Barrow. Bring your notebook and pencil. See more at www.shanecaseybooks.ie

Enjoy an afternoon of arts and science at this interactive exhibit to learn about your catchment and the creatures that live in your catchment. Hosted by the Our Community, Our Water Project. As a special event for Water Heritage Day, discover why clean, healthy rivers and streams are so important for everyone in a catchment, including the bugs. Enjoy an afternoon of arts and science at this interactive exhibit to learn about your catchment and the creatures that live in your catchment. This family-friendly exhibit is hosted by the Our Community, Our Water Project with support from LAWCO.

There's lots more happening on Water Heritage Day. See what''s on near you.